This board has chosen to endorse Kinnery Shah of Students First! as the next Cultural Affairs commissioner. We believe that Shah’s platform will strengthen the communication between campus art organizations and will allow more students to become involved through smaller programs.
Shah presented her plans in a particularly precise manner, and her enthusiasm for the commission was evident. Shah said she plans to hold monthly “networking nights,” in which varying performing groups would meet to learn about how the commission can help them. She also plans to create a Poetry and Comedy Lounge where students can perform spoken word or comedy skits on a weekly basis. By additionally working with popular off-campus performance venues, Shah hopes to generate student access to discounted ticket prices for off-campus performances.
While we were impressed with some of the ideas presented by Victor Cordon, we are skeptical about the feasibility of the projects he presented. Proposals regarding a new blog and a published guide for students to the L.A. art scene seem costly and ultimately out of line with the commission’s larger goals.
However, Cordon’s suggestion that students be given venue tickets for donating blood at the UCLA Blood and Platelet Center is an exciting idea that this board fully supports.
While experience alone cannot be the sole determining factor when deciding on a candidate, this board believes that Shah’s knowledge and goals will help build on what is an already strong foundation.